Rain Smith

KINGSPORT — A West Virginia man has been arrested by Kingsport police, accused of exposing himself to women in hotel elevators and a shopping center's parking lot.

Gregory C. Shay, 54, was taken into custody Monday night, with warrants charging him with three counts of indecent exposure. According to KPD records, Shay was identified as the suspect in two recent incidents through surveillance footage.

He was also charged for an incident occurring in October, when he allegedly exposed he genitalia to a woman at the Kingsport Pavilion. At that time the victim, according to records, didn't wish to pursue charges, but having learned of the other occurrences from police has now changed her mind.

Arrest reports state Shay is a contract worker and regular guest at Holiday Inn Express, 1217 Stewball Circle. Management reported no problems with him since he began staying there in 2006.

But on Feb. 17 a female guest contacted police, saying an unknown man began fondling himself while accompanying her in the elevator. According to an incident report, he asked if she "wanted to watch" — then turned around before exiting to expose his "entire genital area."

Police reviewed surveillance footage and reportedly identified Shay as the suspect. They attempted to make contact with him, but received no answer at his door within the hotel.

On April 17 another female guest called authorities. This incident also allegedly occurred in an elevator, with the suspect turning toward the woman and pulling down his pants. In this incident, nothing was said.

Shay was once again identified as the suspect, and the case was forwarded to the KPD criminal investigation division. Police then discovered a third alleged indecent exposure he was involved in from October of 2013.

In that incident, a female shopper at Kingsport Pavilion contacted police. She was reportedly walking to her vehicle when a man pulled his shorts to the side to expose his genitals.

Based on a description that she provided, police located a suspect still in the area, identifying him as Shay. He reportedly claimed to have been "scratching himself and did not intentionally expose himself."

As of Tuesday morning Shay, address provided as 250 Cardinal Ave., Princeton. W. Va., remained held in the Kingsport city jail.